Advances in the study of tegument protein VP26 in white spot syndrome virus

Abstract White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) has become one of the most widespread causes of mortality in commercial shrimp farming due to its broad host range, rapid spread and high lethality. The tegument protein VP26, which is loosely connected to nucleocapsid and envelope, is one of the major proteins of WSSV and has an important role in the initial stages of viral infection. Recent research has emphasized the vp26 gene, the structure of the VP26 protein, and VP26 binding proteins. Such knowledge is required to develop VP26 immune adjuvant to control WSSV. This paper reviews the related research of VP26 to provide reference for the prevention and treatment of WSSV.